counterattacks

noun

variants or counter-attacks
plural of counterattack
as in attacks
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counterattacks Seth Rollins took the lead early on with several counterattacks on Roman Reigns. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Oil prices jumped Monday morning as the latest cycle of attacks and counterattacks renewed fears of further disruption to flows through the Strait of Hormuz. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 July 2026 Morocco had more talent than Paraguay, more menacing technique and tactics, and, presumably, could mount more dangerous counterattacks. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 Under coach Sergej Barbarez, a former professional poker player, the gritty Bosnians rarely gamble, instead playing a disciplined and physical style that emphasizes compactness and swift counterattacks. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Switzerland more than doubled Bosnia and Herzegovina’s possession in the first half, but did little with it as their fellow UEFA opponent defended with numbers in hopes of pouncing on counterattacks. — Josh Gross, Oc Register, 18 June 2026 Sun Yingsha’s speed, anticipation, backhand counterattacks, and composure under pressure have made her one of the greatest table-tennis athletes of all time. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 June 2026 This will be key, as one of Giraldez’s main tactics to cause Barcelona problems will be counterattacks. — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 May 2026 Suwon responded with counterattacks as the North Koreans struggled to clear crosses into the box, with a header from home forward Haruhi Suzuki bouncing off a post in the 21st. — ABC News, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattacks
  1. attacks
  2. counteroffensives
  3. assaults
  4. counterstrikes
Noun
  • Despite distancing herself from her Democratic predecessor, Klobuchar faced attacks from Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ran in the Republican primary, arguing that her leadership would be tantamount to giving Walz another term.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The attacks come as tensions are rising between the government of western Libya and warlord Mohamed Bahroun, who controls the city of Zawiya.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of attacks
Noun
  • But some officials believe Kyiv could have negotiated a peace agreement in mid-2022 if Washington had pushed its ally harder to engage in negotiations after the success of its Kherson and Kharkiv counteroffensives.
    — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine’s relative successes on parts of the front line this year, such as successful localized counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, can be credited in part to Syrsky’s focus on cultivating manpower and forming assault groups.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026
Definition of counteroffensives
Noun
  • The shortage is costing Ukraine most acutely, where cities some nights appear defenseless to Moscow’s rocket assaults.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Since October 2023, the number and severity of settler attacks have skyrocketed, including arson and other destruction of property, the killing of livestock, violent assaults and murder, taking place almost every day.
    — Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of assaults
Noun
  • Dozens of Iranians have died since the last bout of strikes and counterstrikes began, and thousands since February.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The collapse of the ceasefire and interim agreement has led to days of strikes and counterstrikes across the region, with traffic in the crucial waterway once again largely halted as the two sides battle over it.
    — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 17 July 2026
Definition of counterstrikes

Browse Nearby Words

counterattackers
counterattacks
counterbalance
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Cite this Entry

“Counterattacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattacks. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of counterattacks for Spanish Speakers

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